By Charlie Mitchell At most Mississippi high schools today, the only cars out front are the principal’s and the secretary’s. Maybe a counselor or two came to work. The coaches’ pickups are over by the field house, where the coaches are inside, rocked back in their chairs, feet on desks, pondering strategy for fall. It’s […]

By Lloyd Gray/NEMS Daily Journal The challenges Tupelo faces at this point in its history aren’t unique. In fact, they’re the norm for a city once it reaches a certain size and stage in its growth and development. Core neighborhoods age. Middle-class homeowners move out and are replaced by lower-income renters. Blighted properties multiply. Crime […]

A study of Mississippi media usage just completed by American Opinion Research for the Mississippi Press Association found seven of every 10 Mississippi adults read a newspaper, either in print or online. That’s pretty consistent with national research and reflects the Sun Herald’s own documented south Mississippi audience, which has never been larger. Moreover, half […]

Winners of the Robby Hale “Make a Difference” memorial scholarship are Blake Farrar, Olivia Dunnam, Reagan Wright, Brady Russell and Jodie McMillen. Each recipient is awarded a $1,000 scholarship payable to a Mississippi college or University based on making a difference in his/her school, home, church, and community through the demonstration of unselfish acts, traits […]

There are names in the Old Testament that fit nicely under the category: Humdingers! Jehoshaphat is one of them, but he’s one of my favorite characters, and his name has nothing to do with it. It’s his wisdom as a leader. My dad would call it plain, common sense. This main man of Judah was […]

Shirley Joan Harper, 70, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at Graceland Care Center in New Albany. She was born Nov. 16, 1942, in Poinsett City, Ark., to Benny Eli Harper and Gertrude Seaburn Harper. She was a retired truck driver for FedEx. She was a Pentecostal. Services were at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at […]

Martha Marie Bell Hatcher Vanderford, 88, of Burnsville, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2013, at her home. She was born Dec. 7, 1924, to John and Jenny Hatcher. She was a homemaker and a member of Rowland Mills Baptist Church. Services were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at Rowland Mills Baptist Church with Bro. […]

Evie Vimoia LaDell Byers Harris, 43, died Sunday, June 16, 2013, at her residence. She was born Oct. 24, 1969, in Union County to Beford Junior Byers and Iva Nell Mardis. She attended New Haven School, where her late grandfather, George Beford Byers, worked as the school’s janitor. She enjoyed being around her grandchild, Carissa, […]

Carolyn Starks, 60, of Ripley, died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center Baldwyn Nursing Facility. She was born Aug. 26, 1952, to Robert Chills and Juanita Carroll Chills, in Tippah County. Services were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at Flatwood Grove Church of The Living God at Blue Mountain. Burial was […]

Margaret Tackitt Reeves, 77, of the Wren Community, died Friday, June 14, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Feb. 10, 1936, in the Troy Community of Pontotoc Co., to William Leslie and Frances Leona Keith Tackitt. After marrying her husband of 63 years on July 8, 1950, they made their home in […]